COLEMAN COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS Contributed by: Joan Renfrow ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** COLEMAN COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS The Texas Historical Commission http://www.thc.state.tx.us/index.html ATOKA CEMETERY Marker # 232 Location: From Novice take FM 1770 3 miles west. Turn north onto county road and continue about 1 mile to cemetery on the left fork of the road. City: Novice Marker Erected: 1996 Marker Text: Settlement of this area began in the 1850s with the establishment of Camp Colorado, a United States cavalry outpost. At the outbreak of the Civil War the camp was occupied by Texas State Troops and Texas Ranger units. The existence of the camp spurred permanent settlement in the area, and many families moved here from the southern United States after the Civil War. The settlers established farms and ranches, and the Atoka community included a general store operated by D.A. Parker and S.N. Edenborough, a combination church/school building, and a cotton gin built by D.A. Parker. This cemetery was established in 1880 on land deeded by C.E. Bush. Among the early pioneers buried here are the Rev. Hugh Martin Childress, Sr., a former Texas Ranger and Republic of Texas soldier; his son, Elisha Childress, who served as the first Coleman County sheriff; veterans of the Civil War; and several workers killed in an explosion that occurred during the construction of a Santa Fe Railroad bridge across Jim Ned Creek in 1910. The cemetery, which is maintained by an association of descendants of those buried here, is one of the few physical reminders of the Atoka community and its pioneer settlers. (1996) EMMA DAUGHERTY BANISTER Marker # 1476 Location: Santa Anna Cemetery on FM 1176 City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: (Oct. 20, 1871-June 4, 1956) The Daugherty family moved west in the late 1870s to Coleman County from present Forney in Kaufman County, where Emma was born. At age 14 she left home to finish school and obtain a teaching certificate in Goldthwaite. She married lawman and widower John R. Banister in 1894, and they raised nine children. Banister was Coleman County sheriff when he died in mid- 1918, and Emma was chosen to complete his term of office to the end of 1918. Recorded - 1986 JOHN R. BANISTER Marker # 2802 Location: Santa Anna Cemetery on FM 1176 City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1986 Marker Text: (May 24, 1854-Aug. 2, 1918) Missouri native John Banister left home in 1867 and came to Texas. He received training as a cowboy and participated in several cattle drives to northern markets. Banister served with his brother, Will, as a Texas Ranger and participated in the capture of outlaw Sam Bass. Other contributions to the state included his service as a railway officer, inspector for the Cattle Raisers' Association, and Coleman County sheriff. Recorded - 1984 BLAIR HOUSE Marker # 425 Location: 416 W. College Avenue City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1978 Marker Text: A native of Georgia, J. T. Blair (1876-1949) migrated to this area in 1897. He married Carrie Agnes Love, of a pioneer Coleman County family. They had five children. Blair served as foreman of the Overall Ranch, in addition to managing his own ranch property. In 1914 he built this residence in town so his children could attend Coleman schools. Designed by architect J. P. Caldwell, the Classical Revival home was owned for 60 years by the Blair family. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978 CAMP COLORADO GUARD HOUSE Marker # 656 Location: On private property, from Coleman take SH 206 about 5.3 miles; head east on FM 2303 about 6 miles; turn south onto dirt road and continue about 1.6 miles to Camp Colorado site. City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1962 Marker Only CAMP COLORADO, C.S.A. Marker # 657 Location: City Park on SH 206, north side of Coleman City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1963 Marker Text: Surrendered as U.S. outpost beginning Civil War. Became part frontier defense line from Red River to Rio Grande. Headquarters first Texas Mounted Rifles 1861 and Texas Frontier Regiment 1863. Manned by troops and Rangers in state and C.S.A. service to war's end. Valuable duty performed while patrolling and scouting to curb Indian raids and in rounding up draft evaders, deserters. Camp life difficult with constant peril of Indian attack, shortage food, ammunition, supplies and horses. Located 12 miles northeast. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963 RUINS OF CAMP COLORADO Marker # 4381 Location: From Coleman take SH 206 about 5.3 miles; head east on FM 2302 about 6 miles. Head south on dirt road about 1.6 miles to marker (on private property). City: Coleman vicinity Marker Erected: 1936 Marker Text: Originally established on the Colorado River by the United States Army as a protection for the frontier against hostile Indians; moved in August, 1856, to this site; abandoned by Federal troops February 26, 1861. The site became the property in 1870 of Henry Sackett (1851-1928), who built his home here in 1879. From here he, with Maltby's Rangers, in 1874, pursued the bands of Big Foot and Jape, Comanche chiefs, and defeated them. CLEVELAND-ANSON HOUSE Marker # 918 Location: From Valera take US 67 west about 0.5 mile. House is located on private property on the south side of the highway. City: Valera Marker Erected: 1970 Marker Text: First fine house in area. Built in 1880 by George P. Cleveland, a sheep rancher. Structure, of native stone and lumber hauled from Fort Worth by ox- wagon, has two-foot walls. Second owner was Englishman Billy Anson, son of the Earl of Litchfield. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970 COLEMAN COUNTY Marker # 940 Location: 0.6 miles north on US 84 City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: In early Texas had Apache, Comanche, Kiowa camps and mountain lookouts. White settlement began at Camp Colorado, U.S. 2nd Cavalry Post on Jim Ned Creek, 1857. County was created Feb. 1, 1858. Named for Robert M. Coleman (1799-1837), a signer of Texas Declaration of Independence and a hero of the Battle of San Jacinto. To south part of county, 1862, came John Chisum, to raise cattle to be furnished to Confederate troops fighting Civil War. County was organized Oct. 6, 1864. Courts first met at Camp Colorado. Coleman was approved as county seat April 28, 1876. COLEMAN COUNTY JAIL Marker # 941 Location: On northeast corner of courthouse square, Commerce at Walnut City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1970 Marker Text: Second county jail. (First was a small 1879 structure on lawn of courthouse.) Erected in 1890, this building is a good example of Victorian jail architecture with some traces of Romanesque Revival. Belting at ground and second floors a notable detail. Lower floor contains living quarters for the jailer. Upper floor houses both maximum and minimum security cells. Only one person, a convicted murderer, was ever hanged here. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1970 ROBERT M. COLEMAN Marker # 1090 Location: Courthouse Square, Commerce at Walnut City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1966 Marker Text: (1799-1837) Born in Kentucky. Came to Texas in 1832. Commanded company of volunteers at Siege of Bexar (San Antonio), Dec. 5-10, 1835. Delegate to Constitutional Convention where he signed Texas Declaration of Independence, 1836. Aide-de-camp to Gen. Sam Houston at Battle of San Jacinto, 1836. Later fought Indians as a Texas Ranger. (1966) KEN ELKINS HOME Marker # 1459 Location: 5.3 miles north of Coleman on SH 206, 3 miles east on FM 2302, and 1.6 miles north on unpaved private road City: Coleman vicinity Marker Erected: 1963 Marker Only FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF SANTA ANNA Marker # 1716 Location: S. 1st Street and Avenue C City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1976 Marker Text: Founded in 1894, this congregation worshiped in various places until members purchased this lot in 1900 and began construction of their own building. The Rev. E. M. Douthit and the Rev. B. B. Sanders led the dedication ceremonies in April 1901. A solid brass bell hangs in the off-center entry tower and spire that dominates this frame church. The interior has original beaded ceiling and wainscoting. The kerosene lamp in the vestibule has been converted to electricity. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976 SITE OF SLAT TOP SETTLEMENT Marker # 4792 Location: 10.8 miles south of Voss on FM 503, 6 miles west on FM 2134, on south side of road City: Voss vicinity Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: A frontier center of traffic and communications. First known settler, Richard Coffey, lived here in 1860's, except in weeks when pioneers banded together in Pickettville Fort (NW of here) for protection against Indians. This was on the "Wire Road" -- so named because it followed telegraph line operated by U.S. Army Signal Corps between Fort Concho and Fort Belknap in the 1870's. Also in 1870's, Flat Top was a change station on Fort Concho-Brownwood Stage route. Name of the settlement came from a flat-roof stone building standing here in early days. (1969) COLONEL JAMES E. McCORD Marker # 2523 Location: City Park on SH 206, north side of Coleman City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1963 Marker Text: 1834-1914 South Carolinian. Came to Texas 1853. Surveyor of lands in this region, including the site of Camp Colorado. Texas Ranger. Prominent secessionist. Member Texas State troops at start of Civil War. Lt. Colonel of Texas Frontier Regiment established 1862. Morale was low among these rugged frontiersmen who disliked the discipline and chain of command of army life. Indians had learned the system of regular patrols between posts and slipped through to plunder. Draft evaders and deserters, another threat to peace, were flocking to the frontier and stealing from the settlers. Some Coleman County families stayed near Camp Colorado for safety. In 1863 McCord was unanimously elected colonel in command of the regiment. He operated it as Ranger unit, abolished regular patrols in favor of unexpected scouting expeditions to surprise Indian raiding parties. With these changes, the regiment's effectiveness increased. In late 1863 a new frontier defense system was initiated. McCord's Regiment was taken into Confederate service as the 46th Texas Cavalry. With the immediate threat of Union invasion from Louisiana and Arkansas, part of the 46th with McCord leading was sent to East Texas defenses, remaining until war's close. Prominent county pioneer, businessman. Buried Coleman Cemetery. (1963) OLD MILITARY ROAD Marker # 4371 Location: 3 miles east of Santa Anna on US 67/84 City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1972 Marker Text: Opened in 1850s for supply trains and cavalry travel along line of U.S. forts from Belknap on the Brazos to Fort Mason and to Fort Clark near the Rio Grande. Along this road passed great men, including Col. Robert E. Lee, later (1861-65) general of Confederate forces in the Civil War. (1972) MRS. J.A.B. MILLER PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING Marker # 3510 Location: Courthouse Square, Walnut and Commerce City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1977 Marker Text: Financed by the Self-Culture Club and other local women's organizations, this structure was erected in 1909 to provide a meeting place for the groups and to house the city's library collection. In 1924 when money was no longer available to pay a librarian, Mattie B. (Mrs. J. A. B.) Miller (1874-1969), pioneer ranch woman and civic leader, offered her services. For 41 years, as an unpaid librarian, she dedicated her time and resources to the project. In 1968 when the city took over operation, the library was named in her honor. (1977) D.A. PARKER HOUSE Marker # 1143 Location: 2 miles west of Novice on FM 1770, then 1 mile south on CR 488 City: Novice vicinity Marker Erected: 1983 Marker Text: A native of Ohio, David Absalom Parker (b. 1849) came to Coleman County in 1876 with his wife, Nannie Rachel (Atkinson). Soon after, they constructed this two- story stone residence. Parker became a prominent area cattleman and helped establish the town of Novice when rail lines were built to the area in 1910. The owner of a general store and cotton gin, he was instrumental in the formation of school, church, and post office. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1983 RICHARD A. PAULEY Marker # 4258 Location: Valera Cemetery, about 1 mile south of Valera on FM 503 City: Valera vicinity Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: (March 20, 1882-May 16, 1925) A man who achieved boyhood wish to become a law officer, Pauley was a rancher before his election in 1923 to office of Coleman County sheriff. He was widely respected as a true gentleman. Often he did not carry a gun, preferring to convince fugitives that the law would protect, not hurt, them. He was shot by 2 stowaways while investigating a train car. His wife Kate Dancer Pauley and son Russell survived him. Recorded - 1968 THE ROCK HOUSE ON DAY RANCH Marker # 3906 Location: FM 2134 to Leaday on Padgitt Ranch on Grape Creek City: Leaday vicinity Marker Erected: 1962 Marker Only OLD ROCK HOUSE Marker # 3796 Location: From Santa Anna take US 84 NW about 1 mile City: Santa Anna vicinity Marker Erected: 1975 Marker Text: This site was claimed in 1857 under a Republic of Texas land certificate held by former State Representative Darwin Stapp of Victoria County. In 1869 he sold the tract to another absentee owner. By tradition, this house was built in the 1870s by John J. Brestow, a squatter who came to this area for his health. The one-room cabin was constructed of stone from the nearby Santa Anna Mountains. Later owners, including Mrs. Sarah Himmins, rented the property to tenant farmers. Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Bruce, who purchased the land in 1947, restored the Rock House and maintain it now as a museum. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1975 SANTA ANNA, C.S.A. Marker # 4573 Location: Next to Santa Anna City Hall, Wallis Avenue City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1965 Marker Text: Mountain and town named in honor of man in power here in 1840's, a Comanche chief friendly to Texans. Santa Anna in 1846 visited President Polk in Washington during U.S. negotiations to annex Texas. Also signed and kept until his death of cholera in 1849 peace treaties that allowed the German Emigration Company to settle lands north of the Llano River. Comanches used Santa Anna peaks as signal points. Early surveyors, travelers, explorers and settlers took them as guide points. In 1857, nearby United States Cavalry at Camp Colorado kept lookouts here. In the Civil War, 1861-65, frontier kept lookouts here. At foot of mountain, with sentries on heights watching at the pass the military road from San Antonio northeastward to Fort Belknap, a strategic outpost guarding Texas from invasion by Indians and Federal troops. During the 1870's thousands of longhorns went through the gap, over the western cattle trail. In 1879, "The Gap" had a store and post office to supply the cattle drives. When Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe built here in 1886, settlers moved from The Gap to the railroad, starting the present town. Quarries in the mountain yield fine sands for the manufacturing of glass. (1965) SHIELDS CEMETERY Marker # 11813 Location: 17.5 miles S of Coleman on FM 2131 City: Cole vicinity Marker Erected: 1999 Marker Text: The first community in this vicinity began as a Baptist church settlement founded in 1900. The vast ranch land of the area was divided into lots beginning about 1905. Early settlers called the community "Double Gates" because there were two gates on the road between the nearby towns of Coleman and Brady. A watering hole near the road also attracted travelers. L. L. Shield built a general store and post office, and the community was named for him. The infant son of J. T. and L. A. (Dillingham) Gilbreath died in June 1908 and became the first person to be interred on land set aside for a Shield community cemetery. One acre of land including the grave was donated to County Judge T. J. White, trustee, in December of that year. The cemetery gradually took on the name Shields. The earliest graves here are a testimony to the difficulty of pioneer life: almost half the 37 people interred during the first ten years of the cemetery's operation were children younger than three years of age, two more were teenagers and four were under the age of twenty-five. Only one person more than fifty years of age was buried during this period: Susan Winkler McGinnis Godwin died in 1913 at age eighty-two. Veterans of the Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War are interred here. Six graves in the northwest corner of the cemetery are believed to be those of Catholic Mexican Americans. The Shield community thrived for a time, and many of its most influential citizens are interred on this site. Though the community declined after World War II, Shields Cemetery remains as a chronicle of its people. (1999) Incising on base: In memory of Susan Winkler McGinnis Godwin TOWN OF TRICKHAM Marker # 5557 Location: Near community center, FM 1176 City: Trickham Marker Erected: 1969 Marker Text: Oldest town in county; founded about 1855 as a cowboy trading post for ranching activities of cattle baron John Chisum. During 1860-1890, it was a boisterous community at a crossroads of cattle trails. Because of notorious jokes played at local general store, "Trick'em" was suggested for name of post office here. (1969) TURNER HOUSE Marker # 5574 Location: Wallis Avenue City: Santa Anna Marker Erected: 1968 Marker Text: Built 1886 by an attorney from Mississippi. Colonial architecture. House was enlarged from 8 to 12 rooms after 1903 purchase by Fred W. Turner, rancher and oilman. This was gathering place for area social and business leaders. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1968 VALERA CEMETERY Marker # 5628 Location: 1 mile south of Valera on FM 503 City: Valera vicinity Marker Erected: 1996 Marker Text: The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad established a railway line about eight miles southwest of Coleman in 1904. The town of Valera developed in the area around the train depot. Its business district, established parallel to the railroad, reflected the needs of its citizens. Businesses included a post office, a hotel, a bank, a flour mill, a cotton gin, an opera house, grocery stores, a blacksmith shop, a cafe and a water well in the middle of the street. Recognizing the need for a community cemetery, Mrs. Minnie K. Harris deeded more than five acres of land in 1922. One of two cemeteries serving the community, it contains more than 300 marked graves, and at least five unmarked graves. The first recorded burial was that of Mrs. N. C. Kidwell in 1922. Many prominent citizens of the area are buried here, including Dr. H. H. Mitchell (1866-1927) who came to Valera in 1905. The only doctor in town, Dr. Mitchell helped establish the first school, was a deacon in the Baptist church and president of the First State Bank. Also buried here is local law enforcement officer Richard A. Pauly. The cemetery contains burials of veterans from the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. (1996) WESTERN TRAIL Marker # 5767 Location: Courthouse Square, Walnut at Commerce City: Coleman Marker Erected: 1925 Marker Text: This tablet commemorates the Western Trail that passed through Coleman in 1867- 1895. D.A.R. Seal. Head of longhorn. "Up the Trail". Erected by the Captain Wm. Buckner Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. WHITE CHAPEL CEMETERY Marker # 11814 Location: 8 miles west of Coleman on SH 153, then 1 mile north on FM 503 City: Coleman vicinity Marker Erected: 1999 Marker Text: Coleman County was organized in 1867. The landscape in this area included high grasses, pecan and live oak trees. Deer, turkey, bear and antelope roamed freely. Into this wilderness came such pioneers as John Thomas and Julia Gowens Hamilton, Julia's parents G. A. and Rachel Ann Berryman Gowens, and Rachel's father Benjamin Berryman and his family. The group passed Coleman, choosing instead to settle in this locality. The village of White Chapel grew from the efforts of these settlers and their neighbors. The earliest interment on this burial ground was that of Joseph Shipman, who died in 1884. When land was deeded for a school that year, the cemetery was established on the same site. The school, cemetery and community were known as White Chapel. The Rock Crusher School District was created in 1916 and included White Chapel District #44, but White Chapel voters rejected consolidation in 1917. The White Chapel Baptist Church was moved to the school grounds in 1930. In 1936 the Centennial High School District was formed and older grade levels were consolidated into the new organization. In 1951 all White Chapel students were consolidated into the Centennial District. In 1952 the cemetery was granted a separate deed from the school. Pioneer family names represented in the cemetery are Berryman, Brooks, Collier, Fenton, Gowens, Jameson, Kelley, Hamilton, Nelson, Saunders and Stacy. Three Civil War veterans and several members of the U. S. Armed Forces are interred here. The White Chapel Cemetery remains a chronicle of the early settlers of this wilderness. (1999) MR. AND MRS. W.P. WILLIAMS Marker # 3507 Location: FM 1176, near community center City: Trickham Marker Erected: 1974 Marker Text: William Patrick Williams (ca. 1818-1898) and his wife Elizabeth (Boles) (ca. 1822-1899) migrated to Texas from Mississippi during the Civil War. After a brief stay in Cherokee County, they settled in this area, arriving by wagon train. Their nearby homestead became the nucleus of the neighboring rural settlement, the site of an early school they helped establish. The Williamses and their six children survived many hardships, including Indian raids and a smallpox epidemic. William, often called "Mukewater Bill" for a stream near his home, was a pioneer area leader. (1981)